Albany resident to command 'Harlem Hell fighters'

Jun. 2, 2014 - 10:01AM
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ALBANY, N.Y. — Colonel David Martinez, an Albany resident and Iraq War veteran has been named to command the New York Army National Guard’s 369th Sustainment brigade, also known as the “Harlem Hell fighters.”

During World War I the 369th Infantry Regiment fought under the French because American commanders did not trust African-American soldiers.

Martinez replaces Col. Reginald Sanders as the commander of the brigade. In 2005 Martinez deployed to Tikrit, Iraq as commander of the 642nd Military Intelligence Battalion in support of the 42nd Infantry Division.

The 369th Sustainment Brigade oversees a number of logistics units across New York. The brigade’s top job is to coordinate the delivery of supplies to a division-sized combat force.